Saddlers abandon striker fee hope

Roy Whalley has revealed Walsall have cut their losses on Ishmel Demontagnac and won't receive a penny should the striker find a club.

The 20-year-old was sacked in November after being arrested following his final appearance against Scunthorpe in the FA Cup – when he was sent off just eight minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The Saddlers held his registration in the hope of netting some cash after the volatile hitman, who is understood to be close to joining another club, had trials with Crystal Palace, Leeds and Charlton.

But chief executive Whalley admitted they have released Demontagnac's documentation because they didn't want to keep paying him.

He said: "He is a completely free agent. Having sacked him you can hold his registration for six weeks and after that you have to make a decision to let it go or hold it. If you want to hold it you have to keep paying him. We did for a time but that situation ended a few weeks ago.

"We have to balance things up about paying the player and if there was anyone coming in for him. From what we understand he had trials with a number of clubs but they didn't result in the offer of a contract."

Demontagnac made 88 appearances for the Saddlers, scoring nine goals.